Esther Heavens-Matteson

Esther L. Heavens Matteson

Age 93 of Dyersville, Iowa and formerly of Coal City passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center Dyersville, Iowa after a brief illness.

Born July 26, 1914 in Goose Lake Township, Grundy County, Illinois, Esther was a daughter of the late Albert and Agnes (Hughes) Dirker. She graduated from Morris High School in 1932 and worked at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant during World War II. Esther married Alan Heavens at Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City in September, 1942. Alan preceded her in death in 1957 as did a daughter, Diana in infancy. In 1969 Esther married Howard S. Matteson who preceded her in death in 1977. Esther worked as a secretary for Coal City High School beginning in 1959 until her retirement in 1985.

Esther was a very talented seamstress and was a 4-H leader in Coal City for several years. She taught ceramics and was active in many sewing and garden clubs over the years in both Coal City and in Mankato , MN where she moved in 1985.

Survivors include her son, Jim (Cathy) Heavens of Dyersville, three grandsons: Alan, John and Patrick Heavens, a sister, Ethel Campbell Togliatti of Las Vegas, NV, a brother, Earl Dirker of Newark, IL, a cousin Virginia (Jim) Walsh of Morris, IL, and five nephews.

Visitation in Dyersville, Iowa will be from 3 a�" 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2008, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a parish scripture service will be held at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2008, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, in Dyersville with the Rev. Donald Hertges officiating.

Visitation in Coal City will be from 9 a�" 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Burial will follow in the family plot in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wilmington.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Local arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City.